What Is The Rolex Series?

The Rolex Series is made up of the DP World Tour's marquee events, with players competing for the largest tournament purses and world ranking points.

The Rolex Series
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Matt Cradock
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First launched in 2017 by DP World Tour Chief Executive, Keith Pelley, the Rolex Series attracts the biggest and best names in the world that would tend to favour the PGA Tour. Hence why the tournament purses at these events are significantly higher than a normal DP World Tour tournament.

Speaking about the introduction of the series in 2017, Pelley said "the Rolex Series will celebrate the highest quality of golf and the international spirit of the game; values that Rolex and the European Tour strengthen with this announcement. We are tremendously proud to have Rolex as our partner in this exciting new venture and we thank them for their continued support."

Abu Dhabi Line Up

Some of the headliners at the 2022 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

(Image credit: Getty Images)

This year, the newly rebranded DP World Tour will have five of these prestigious Rolex Series events, with the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic becoming a Rolex Series event for the first time in its history.

The other tournaments that will make up the series are the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Genesis Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

Previously, there were eight events on the Tour but, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Open de France, Irish Open and Italian Open were relegated to regular Tour competitions, with the Turkish Airlines Open and Nedbank Golf Challenge being cancelled.

Morikawa wins the Race to Dubai

Collin Morikawa claimed the Race to Dubai in 2021.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Being staged throughout the season, the Rolex Series events had their tournament purses increased in 2020, from $7 million to $8 million, with the season-ending DP World Tour Championship providing $10 million in prize money. The Rolex Series offers around two-to-three times more than the average DP World Tour purse and, on top of the prize money, they also offer increased order of merit points.

2022 ROLEX SERIES EVENT LIST & DATES

  • Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship - 20th - 23rd January
  • Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic - 27th - 30th January
  • Genesis Scottish Open - 7th - 10th July
  • BMW PGA Championship - 8th - 11th September 
  • DP World Tour Championship 17th - 20th November  
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Matt Cradock
Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

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